Pre-Christmas New York City Trip and a Win!

A great big thank you to Kristi of 30 Pounds of Apples. I won her 2014 calendar. You can get one too. Just pop on over to her site.

 

Just before Christmas we made a trip into NYC as a family. We went to Discovery Times Square to enjoy The Art of the Brick. Both of my children loved Legos when they were little so we thought this would be a great exhibit to see.

All of these works are by Nathan Sawaya. Here I am at the exhibit.

Do you recognize this masterpiece?

 



 

Aren't these gorgeous?

 

This was made with clear colored bricks.

The following two pieces were somewhat difficult to perceive in person, but were east to see through the camera lens.

 

 

Just imagine how difficult this was to make and how many Legos it took.

 

 

We also made a stop at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree...

and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

 

We ended the day with a late lunch at Cock & Bull British Pub & Eatery.

All in all a rainy but great day in NYC at Christmastime.

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Card

Today I am sharing with you the Christmas card that I sent last year.

 

That's right, last year I took one of my cross-stitch designs and had the photo made into a card. I cobbled together a few holiday wishes for the interior saying and I made sure to note that this was designed and stitched by me on the back of the card.

I had planned to put one of my other Christmas angel designs on a card this year but never got around to it. There is always next year.

 

Merry Christmas to all of you.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

A Win and a Yarn Along

I won! Well, I won the second prize of a giveaway but ....I won! You can see the great prize sent to me by Gerry of Foodness Gracious. Check out the great food he cooks up.

 I am joining Ginny's Yarn Along. What are you knitting/crocheting? What are you reading? Check out what others are up to on her site.

 

Once again there is not much crafting to show you as most of what I am currently working on is for Christmas or is being left by the wayside in favor or holiday decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping and card writing. Whew, I'm exhausted just writing about it.

I can show you the beautifully soft yarn I am knitting right now. You can get a glimpse of the project in between the skeins.

I am still reading The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. I am thouroughly enjoying this novel. I will probably still be reading if next week as reading time is limited.

The house is decorated outside and finally inside!

 

These Santas were gifts. The four small ones were bought at a local craft fair. I would go each year with my mom and she would buy one for me as a Christmas gift. Sadly, that vendor is no longer in business. They are beautifully handcrafted and no two were ever alike.  

I love candles of all types at Christmas time. How many of you have the essential ceramic Christmas tree? My mom has a large two-piece one.  

 

For many years, my family would give me buildings and accessories for my New England village.

The skaters below I "borrowed" from my mom many years ago. A couple of them are new but the others are quite old.

As you can see it is quite extensive. If I ever get rid of the piece of furniture on which I arrange it, I don't know where it will be displayed. Although it is quite an undertaking, I do enjoy placing all the buildings and figures. I did realize that I have something of a control issue with the village though when my husband offered to help me and I really didn't let him.

 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Crochet

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. My children were home and we celebrated the holiday with our small extended family.

 

Now it is time to turn my attention to decorating my home for Christmas. Here is a poor picture of just about half of the boxes of decorations...... I have way too many. These are what are stored in our garage. The rest are in our basement.

 

I love celebrating Christmas during the entire month of December. The first decoration to go up is my Advent calendar.

 

It is magnetic and the little ornaments get placed on the tree. When my children were growing up one child would get to place the even days and one the odd.....prevented arguments. Now my husband and I get to place the ornaments.

 

Since I am still knitting my first sleeve, I thought I would share with you some of the crocheted decorations I have.

This crocheted angel was made by my husband's grandmother many years ago. It is heavily starched and quite intricate. It is lovingly wrapped in tissue and stored each year. You can't help but appreciate hand-made gifts.

 

I made this crocheted Christmas tree and snowman many years ago. Are you seeing a trend here, many of my decorations have been around awhile.

 

I am joining Ginny's Yarn Along. What are you knitting/crocheting? What are you reading? Stop by her blog to see what everyone else is up to.

 

I have started reading The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. This book was recommended by several of my fellow bloggers and I am glad  that I made note of it. It is the kind of book that transports you to another place, time and family. Each character is complex and interesting. I am only a few chapters in and I can't wait to keep reading.

 

Thanks for stopping by!